An apparatus including: a plurality of amplifiers having a plurality of output ports, respectively, the plurality of amplifiers configured to amplify radio frequency (RF) signals received from at least one antenna; a plurality of demodulators configured to receive the amplified RF signals at a plurality of input ports, respectively, the plurality of demodulators configured to downconvert the received RF signals; and a plurality of switches configured to couple selected output ports of the plurality of amplifiers to selected input ports of the plurality of demodulators, wherein each switch of the plurality of switches is configured such that at least one of the plurality of output ports of the plurality of amplifiers is selectively coupled to any of multiple input ports of the plurality of input ports of the plurality of demodulators.
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1. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of amplifiers having a plurality of output ports, respectively, the plurality of amplifiers configured to amplify radio frequency (RF) signals received from at least one antenna, wherein each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers comprises at least first and second transistors; a first capacitor coupled between an input of each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and a gate terminal of the first transistor; a second capacitor coupled between an input of each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and a gate terminal of the second transistor; a plurality of demodulators configured to receive the amplified RF signals at a plurality of input ports, respectively, the plurality of demodulators configured to downconvert the received RF signals; and a plurality of switches configured to couple selected output ports of the plurality of amplifiers to selected input ports of the plurality of demodulators, wherein each switch of the plurality of switches is configured such that at least one of the plurality of output ports of the plurality of amplifiers is selectively coupled to any of multiple input ports of the plurality of input ports of the plurality of demodulators.
A radio receiver includes multiple amplifiers to boost radio frequency (RF) signals from an antenna. Each amplifier has two transistors and uses two capacitors at its input, connected to the gate terminals of the transistors. The receiver also includes multiple demodulators to convert the amplified RF signals to a usable format. Switches connect the outputs of the amplifiers to the inputs of the demodulators. Each switch can connect any amplifier output to multiple demodulator inputs, providing flexibility in signal routing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each switch of the plurality of switches is operable in response to a control signal.
The radio receiver described in the previous claim has switches that are controlled electronically. These switches connect amplifier outputs to demodulator inputs, and their operation is governed by an electrical control signal.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a controller to generate the control signal.
The radio receiver with electronically controlled switches described in the previous claim includes a controller. This controller generates the control signal that dictates how the switches connect the amplifier outputs to the demodulator inputs, enabling dynamic signal routing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each demodulator of the plurality of demodulators is tuned to demodulate a selected carrier frequency.
In the radio receiver, each demodulator is tuned to a specific carrier frequency. This allows the receiver to process multiple frequency bands or channels by directing the amplified signals to the appropriate demodulator for that frequency.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of amplifiers and the plurality of switches are formed on a single integrated circuit.
The radio receiver's amplifiers and switches are integrated onto a single chip. This reduces size, cost, and power consumption compared to using discrete components.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of matching circuits, each matching circuit having an input port coupled to a selected antenna selected from the at least one antenna and an output port coupled to each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers.
The radio receiver includes matching circuits connected between the antenna(s) and the amplifiers. Each matching circuit is designed to optimize the transfer of RF signal energy from the antenna to the amplifier, improving signal strength and reducing noise.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each switch of the plurality of switches comprises a plurality of independently-controllable switch devices.
The switches within the radio receiver consist of multiple individually controllable switching elements. This allows for more complex and precise routing of signals from the amplifiers to the demodulators, enabling fine-grained control over signal paths.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein each switch device of the plurality of independently-controllable switch devices is controlled by a switch control signal.
The radio receiver's individually controllable switching elements are each controlled by a separate switch control signal. This allows for independent operation of each switch, providing flexibility in signal routing.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein each switch device of the plurality of independently-controllable switch devices is configured as a transistor switch device.
The radio receiver's individually controllable switching elements are implemented as transistor switches. This allows for compact, efficient, and fast switching of RF signals.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first degeneration inductor coupled between a supply line and a source terminal of the first transistor; and a second degeneration inductor coupled between a signal ground and a source terminal of the second transistor.
Each amplifier in the radio receiver uses degeneration inductors. A first inductor is connected between a power supply line and the source of the first transistor, and a second inductor is connected between ground and the source of the second transistor. These inductors improve amplifier linearity and stability.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first and second degeneration inductors are coupled together with a mutual coupling coefficient.
In the radio receiver with degeneration inductors as described in the previous claim, the two inductors are coupled together. This mutual coupling affects the amplifier's performance and can be used to further optimize its characteristics.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a low noise amplifier of a receiver.
The described apparatus is a low noise amplifier (LNA) within a radio receiver. This LNA is designed to amplify weak RF signals from an antenna while adding minimal noise to the signal.
13. A method for providing amplification in a multiband receiver, the method comprising: amplifying at a plurality of amplifiers carrier signals received by each antenna of at least one antenna, the amplified carrier signals being output from a respective plurality of output ports of the plurality of amplifiers, wherein each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers comprises at least first and second transistors; wherein a first capacitor is coupled between an input of each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and a gate terminal of the first transistor; wherein a second capacitor is coupled between an input of each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and a gate terminal of the second transistor; controlling a plurality of switches to control how outputs from the plurality of output ports are input to a plurality of demodulators having a respective plurality of input ports, wherein at least one of the plurality of output ports of the plurality of amplifiers is selectively coupled to any of multiple input ports of the plurality of input ports of the plurality of demodulators.
This invention relates to a multiband receiver system designed to amplify and process carrier signals from multiple antennas. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently handling signals across different frequency bands in wireless communication, ensuring optimal amplification and demodulation. The method involves using multiple amplifiers, each with at least two transistors, to amplify carrier signals received by one or more antennas. Each amplifier includes a first capacitor connected between its input and the gate terminal of a first transistor, and a second capacitor connected between its input and the gate terminal of a second transistor. This configuration enhances signal amplification across different frequency bands. The amplified signals are output from multiple output ports of the amplifiers. A switching mechanism controls how these amplified signals are routed to a plurality of demodulators, allowing flexible connectivity. Specifically, at least one amplifier output port can be selectively coupled to any of multiple input ports of the demodulators, enabling dynamic signal routing based on operational requirements. This design improves signal processing efficiency and adaptability in multiband receivers, particularly in applications requiring high performance across varying frequency ranges.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein amplifying the carrier signals comprises using appropriate matching networks disposed between the at least one antenna and the plurality of amplifiers.
The method for amplifying signals in a radio receiver, as previously described, includes using matching networks between the antenna(s) and the amplifiers. This optimizes the transfer of RF signal energy from the antenna to the amplifiers, improving signal strength and reducing noise.
15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising tuning each demodulator of the plurality demodulators to demodulate a selected carrier frequency.
The method for amplifying signals in a radio receiver, as previously described, includes tuning each demodulator to a specific carrier frequency. This allows the receiver to process multiple frequency bands or channels by directing the amplified signals to the appropriate demodulator.
16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising: coupling an input port of each circuit of a plurality of matching circuits to a selected antenna selected from the at least one antenna; and coupling an output port of each circuit of the plurality of matching circuits to each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers.
The method for amplifying signals in a radio receiver includes connecting each antenna to an amplifier through a matching circuit. Each matching circuit's input connects to an antenna, and its output connects to each amplifier. This optimizes signal transfer from each antenna to all amplifiers.
17. An apparatus for providing amplification in a multiband receiver, the apparatus comprising: means for amplifying at a plurality of amplifiers carrier signals received by each antenna of at least one antenna, the amplified carrier signals being output from a respective plurality of output ports of the plurality of amplifiers, wherein each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers comprises at least first and second transistors; first means for storing charge disposed between an input of each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and a gate terminal of the first transistor; second means for storing charge disposed between an input of each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and a gate terminal of the second transistor; means for controlling a plurality of switches to control how outputs from the plurality of output ports are input to a plurality of demodulators having a respective plurality of input ports, wherein at least one of the plurality of output ports of the plurality of amplifiers is selectively coupled to any of multiple input ports of the plurality of input ports of the plurality of demodulators.
An apparatus for amplifying signals in a multiband receiver uses multiple amplifiers to amplify carrier signals from one or more antennas. Each amplifier has two transistors, and charge storage means (capacitors) are connected between the input of each amplifier and the gate terminals of the transistors. Switching means are used to direct the outputs of the amplifiers to the inputs of multiple demodulators, allowing flexible signal routing where any amplifier output can connect to multiple demodulator inputs.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising means for tuning each demodulator of the plurality demodulators to demodulate a selected carrier frequency.
The apparatus for amplifying signals in a radio receiver, as previously described, also includes means for tuning each demodulator to a specific carrier frequency. This allows the receiver to process multiple frequency bands or channels by directing the amplified signals to the appropriate demodulator.
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August 29, 2016
September 5, 2017
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